Stand with unionists in the Philippines

Issues Stand with unionists in the Philippines

By Cathy Smith Schools organiser

When union members are under threat, the role of international solidarity is essential in defending the right to bargain, campaign and organise. Right now in the Philippines, unionists are the target of brutal government repression because of their demands for job security, living wages and climate action. Since the rise to power of the authoritarian Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, at least 43 unionists have been killed. The Philippines is now in the bottom 10 worst countries for workers’ rights (ituc-csi.org/RI19) and Filipino union members need our solidarity. The Duterte regime needs to know that the world will not remain silent while trade union members continue to be persecuted, union leaders arrested and union offices raided. Filipino union leaders from the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) recently met with Australian unionists and lobbied politicians on a speaking tour in February. Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA, together with the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), hosted a visit by KMU General Secretary Elmer Bong Labog, and the KMU international officer, Meryl Quero-Asa. Here are four things you can do to stand with unionists in the Philippines:

Sign the petition to end the red-tagging of teachers and academics

Teacher unionists in the Philippines have been targeted in arbitrary arrests, received death threats, been accused of terrorism by the police, and they have even been shot at in their classrooms. Signing the petition will help guarantee the security and safety of all union members and leaders in the Philippines. Find the petition at: bit.ly/39aEuRq

Support unionism in the Philippines and join Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA

Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA works with the two largest union federations in the Philippines to bolster their campaigns for secure work and energy democracy. By becoming a member of Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA, you will be supporting these projects and other projects around the globe that build the power of ordinary workers against the corporate power of multinationals. Join at: apheda.org.au/join

Send a letter/email of protest to the Philippine Consulate in your city

Send a letter of protest to the Philippine government to demand that the right to form a union is protected. Download an example letter at: bit.ly/392Ots2

Download the campaign poster for your workplace

Build awareness in your workplace of trade union repression in the Philippines

by downloading the campaign posters and displaying on your union noticeboard. Share photos of you and your workmates on social media using these hashtags: #StopTheAttacks, #StopRedTagging Find downloadable posters at: bit.ly/3chl1Aw